College football’s most unique uniforms of 2011

How sweet are those?

Oregon players, in their Rose Bowl helmets, are ready for battle on Jan. 2.

Crest fallen

For the record, the design salutes the founding families of Maryland: The white and red design is the coat of arms of the Crossland family, the black and gold design the coat of arms of the Calvert family. And this is Terrapins receiver Ronnie Tyler diving into the end zone for a TD to kick off the scoring in Monday's 32-24 victory over Miami on Sept. 5.

Horse of an odd color

Well, a white horse is not all that unusual. But on a white helmet? Boise State made a name for itself with its blue turf, and is trying to make some noise in the fashion world, as well. If our model here, QB Kellen Moore, puts up more outings like his stellar effort against Georgia in a Sept. 5 win at Atlanta, he will be making quite a name for himself, as well.

Put some zip on it

You can't beat 'em . . .

Even when you dress like 'em. Lining up across from Boise State were the tradition-rich Georgia Bulldogs. But in 2011, they are tossing tradition aside for the bling of metallic silver and red helmets with uniform trim to boot. Running back Isaiah Crowell may be No. 1 in his new duds, but the number he hit on the field was 60 (yards on 15 carries) and on the scoreboard was zero (TDs). The Bulldogs lost, 35-21 on Sept. 5.

The kings go down

Kings of the uniform change, that is. Oregon, which has made past headlines with neon green, feathers on the shoulders and literally hundreds of uniform combinations, went pretty dark in its season opener against LSU. And the results on the field matched, with QB Darron Thomas and his teammates searching for answers during much of Saturday's 40-27 loss at Cowboys Stadium on Sept. 3.

Twice as . . . nice?

As has become college football tradition, Week 1 of the 2011 season saw some eyebrow-raising fashion statements on the field. And Maryland took the field before Monday's Labor Day home win against Miami carrying the state flag, which displays two family crests related to its founding, and sporting matching helmets. Here's a look at the strangest uniforms to hit the field in 2011.

Loud enough for ya?

Oregon running back Tra Carson is off to the races, but he can't outrun the loud yellow uniforms the Ducks sport vs. Nevada on Sept. 10.

Yuck of the Irish

Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees and his teammates took to the field Saturday with quite the get-ups. They did not do the Irish much luck, though, as Michigan won its first-ever home night game, 35-31, on a wild finish in the closing seconds on Sept. 10.

Getty ImagesGregory Shamus

Clover cover

The Fighting Irish didn't have luck on their side when they lost to South Florida on Sept. 10. Just seven days later, on Sept. 17, their fans were left to stomach another late crushing loss to Michigan, which has become a recurring theme for the Irish in recent seasons.

That winning look

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson wore his team's new sleeves with pride, as the Wolverines took their famed helmet stripes down to their shoulder pads. His arm came up with the game's final gift, as well, a game-winning TD with two seconds left on Sept. 10.

Lookin' sharp

The Maryland Terrapins enter the field prior to the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Byrd Stadium on Sept. 17.

Purple people eaters

Texas Christian running back Waymon James (32) celebrates a 38-17 victory against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 17.

Very pretty

Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien (5) warms up prior to game vs. West Virginia on Sept. 17.

Old school

Nice shade of orange

Looking to go

Oregon running back LaMichael James (21) looks for room during first quarter against Arizona.

Keep your hat on

An Oklahoma State helmet looks sharp in the sunlight.

Mellow yellow

Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien, in his snappy yellow uniform, looks for a receiver in the first half against Temple in College Park, Md. on Sept. 24.

Wingin' it

Running back LaMichael James and his Oregon teammates were sporting the Ducks' familiar winged shoulders on Sept. 24. And fly these Ducks did, scoring 56 points with James going for 289 yards and two TDs on the ground in a 25-point victory over Arizona.

Hang on!

White hats

Arizona State running back Cameron Marshall looks sharp as stopped by Oregon State defenders on Oct. 1 in Tempe, Ariz.

Use the (Air) Force

Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson looks to move against Navy on Oct. 1.

Those look awesome

Maryland running back D.J. Adams (10) avoids a tackle and scores a touchdown against Towson during the first quarter at Byrd Stadium on Oct. 1.

Matches the sky

Kansas running back Tony Pierson shows off his new threads as he carries the ball against the Texas Tech on Oct. 1.

This is interesting

North Carolina State had a different look last season with current Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson under center. Well, the Wolfpack had a different look in Week 6, too. Cornerback David Amerson (No. 1) had reason to jump for joy after this fourth-quarter interception in the 38-24 victory over Central Michigan on Oct. 8. But do the red helmets with black uniforms inspire much celebration?

Must be a trend

For the second time in Week 6, a team named the Bears sported odd stripes on their pants. Here, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III either looks to the fashion heavens for better threads, or gestures to the sky after the Bears scored against Iowa State on Oct. 8. Likely the latter.

Turning the tables

Usually it is Oregon sporting the out-there uniforms. But on the first game of Week 6, on Oct. 6 in Eugene, it was Cal getting the attention of the fashion police. With running back Isi Sofele serving as our model, the Golden Bears went all white with a stripe along the pants and down the center of the helmet, a la the Carolina Panthers. Of course, neither bear nor panther is known for its stripes.

You again?

The Michigan Wolverines have piled up two things so far this season: wins and eye-opening duds. In Week 6, tight end Steve Watson (No. 84) and offensive lineman Taylor Lewan celebrate a Watson touchdown catch against Northwestern on Oct. 8, while also modeling the newest look — numbers on the helmets and shoulder pads.

Well, Halloween is almost here

Bowling Green is ready for every kid's favorite holiday (excluded any with presents), as running back Anthon Samuel sports the all-orange look on this third-quarter run during Saturday's game at home against Toledo. The Rockets must not have been too distracted, though, as they won 28-21.

Racing stripes

Owls aren't known for stripes, but Oregon's got the feathers-on-the-shoulder-pads look cornered. So Temple decided to accentuate the red-on-white look with some odd stripes down the outside of the legs. It must have worked, as the hosts blew out Buffalo 34-0 in Week 7.

Not to be outdone

Michigan State didn't want to miss the party, so the Spartans sported their own eye-popping threads, as QB Kirk Cousins models on this first-half scramble.

Wolverines, or killer bees?

With hated Michigan coming to town to face Michigan State, there was sure to be a buzz at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. But it was actually the Wolverines who conjured images of bumblebees, sporting the yellow and black stripe look on more than their helmets. Though Michigan did lose 28-14, it served notice to Oregon, Boise State and Maryland that it will be a regular in the wild uniforms gallery throughout the season.

Hard hittin'

Iowa defensive back Nico Law (21) tackles Indiana receiver Shane Wynn (1) during a kickoff return during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 22.

Hands up

Maryland's C.J. Brown attempts a pass against Florida State on Oct. 22.

Duck party

Colorado running back Tony Jones has no place to go thanks to Oregon's defense on Oct. 22.

Pretty in purple

Off he goes

Army quarterback Trent Steelman (8) runs for a touchdown in the first half against Navy in Landover, Md. on Dec. 10.

Ready for battle on field

Navy fullback Maika Polamalu takes a moment before the Army game on Dec. 10.

Ragin in Red

Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Blaine Gautier (17) makes a throw during the New Orleans Bowl against San Diego at the New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec. 17.

Pretty in purple

TCU quarterback Casey Pachall (4) and defensive end Stansly Maponga (90) are pretty in purple before the start of the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 21.

He can fly!

Toledo receiver Eric Page returns a kick off during the first quarter of the Military Bowl against Air Force on Dec. 28.

Red, white and blue

Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson (left) is congratulated by running back Asher Clark after Jefferson scored a first-quarter touchdown against Toledo during the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington on Dec. 28.

The Heisman winner

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is green with envy as he warms up against prior to kickoff of the Alamo Bowl vs. Washington on Dec. 29.